Hydrocarbons Flashcards
What is a hydrocarbon
Any compound formed form only hydrogen and carbon atoms
What type of bonds do alkanes have
They have a single carbon bond
What is an alkanes general formula
CnH2n+2
What does a homologous series mean
A group of organic compounds that react in a similar way
Why are alkanes saturated
Each carbon atom forms 4 single covalent bonds
What’s the order of the first 4 alkanes
Methane
Ethane
Propane
Butane
How do the properties of hydrocarbons change
As the length of the carbon chain changes
What’s a property of a shorter carbon chain
It’s more runny
Therefore less viscous
Is a hydrocarbon more volatile and more flammable when it has a short or long carbon chain
A short carbon chain
What does more volatile mean
And what does this mean in terms of hydrocarbons
It will turn into a gas at a lower temperature
So the shorter the carbon chain the Lower the temp in which the hydrocarbon vaporises or condenses
So it’s got a lower boiling point
When does complete combustion occur
When there is lots of oxygen
What does the complete combustion of a hydrocarbon in oxygen release
Lots of air
Waste products of carbon dioxide and water
What’s the chemical formula of complete combustion
Hydrocarbon + oxygen > co2 + water + energy
What happens to the carbon and hydrogen in combustion
The compounds are both oxidised
Define oxidation
The gaining of oxygen
